Just back from the game - foo thoughts

1. Stand out player Nathan Redmond. He looks really sharp. Needs to develop better end product but regularly left players trailing in his wake. A real talent.

2. I also though Fer looked class. I am slightly confuse as others I spoke to after the game thought he was a bit off the pace but I thought he looked class. Played behind the striker. I don't think that's his best position.

3. Howson also played well, Ryan Bennett showed glimpses of end of season form, Whitaker did quite well and Ruddy was very solid.

4. Jury out for me on RVW. Looks good technically and gets about the pitch but I worry a bit whether he has the physicality to play as a lone striker in England. I feel that already he could really do with a goal to get his confidence going.

5. Hooper came on but looks a bit behind fitness wise. Did some good things though as did Becchio although he should have scored at the end,

6. The biggest negative is the continued absence of Bassong, Turner and Olsson. We really cannot afford to start the season with the defence that played tonight so need to get these guys back on the pitch asap.

7. All in all some encouraging stuff in the first 60 minutes without ever completely bossing the game but they are a decent champ side and well ahead of us fitness wise which showe at times. then we changed it and did not really carry the same threat. We also saw again that a central midfield pairing of Fox and Howson in a 4-4-2 will not dominate teams and that without a bit of pace on the flanks we lack a real threat. A good workout though and encouraging that several of the new boys look classy.

Posted By: Jim, Jul 31, 00:18:51